I've been using an RSS reader to check news, blogs and favorite sites lately, and even found some new interesting websites this way. One is called information aesthetics, all about visual data. (here: http://infosthetics.com/) The blog features a cool post about a visual amazon store that actually lets you see the shelves when you "browse", which improves the whole online shopping experience in my opinion (if you have broadband). Check that out here: zoomii
And last but not least, today's quirky little video about "vampire power", which is repackaging the message on standby power usage in a way that's is amusing and visually pleasing. I say all public announcements should be done with more style! Here's the vid:
Showing posts with label news items. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news items. Show all posts
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
The thing about YouTube
After checking out the Haitian weatherman the other day, I discovered plenty of other weird videos. I suppose that's inevitable with YouTube. But this one was just too weird not to share with any of you who haven't seen it yet--Turtle Boy.
Here's a newsclip from an interview with Turtle Boy months after he had become famous.
Here's a newsclip from an interview with Turtle Boy months after he had become famous.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
It's gonna be hot
Okay, this was featured on NPR's Bryant Park Project, and then I found a "remix". I don't think there will ever be a more interesting newscast... but maybe that's what it takes when you're a weatherman in Haiti.
Molecular Communication!?
Okay, this is truly scary.
A recent R&D update from NTT Docomo, the Japanese cell phone company, recently announced it has made a major breakthrough in "molecular communication". It seemed like some sort of sci-fi joke, I admit, but they are dead serious. The idea is that it is possible to send biochemical information (i.e. "information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress or disease") over a mobile network. The article is copied below:
TOKYO, JAPAN, March 27, 2008 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced today that in experiments being carried out jointly with Professor Kazuo Sutoh of the Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, and Associate Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, it has successfully demonstrated the world's first molecular delivery system for molecular communication.
DoCoMo has been pioneering research into the field of molecular communication, a new communication paradigm in which molecules are used as a communication medium. By combining communication technology and biochemistry, DoCoMo aims to develop systems that could transmit information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress or disease.
The experiment has confirmed the feasibility of a proposed delivery system to transport specific molecules using artificially synthesized DNAs and chemically energized motor proteins, typically found in muscles and nerve cells, which are capable of moving autonomously by converting chemical energy into mechanical work.
The system, which functions on its own because it does not require external power supply or control, could help lead to the realization of a biochemical analyzer, or biochip, a fingertip-sized microchip for biological and chemical analysis.
The envisioned molecular delivery system could have many applications in medicine and healthcare. For instance, it may be possible to diagnose diseases or stress by directly analyzing biomolecules in a drop of sweat or blood using a mobile phone equipped with a biochip. The molecular delivery system would be packaged in the biochip, and the data generated in the biochemical analysis would be transmitted to a medical specialist via a mobile phone using traditional wireless technology. The system could be used, for example, for remote health checks or preventive medicine.
A mobile phone with a biochip could also have applications in the fields of environment (e.g., water analysis) and entertainment (e.g., fortune telling).
DoCoMo and The University of Tokyo are continuing their collaborative research into practical uses of molecular communication to identify applicable molecules and to develop an actual molecular delivery system for installation in a biochip.
Link
A recent R&D update from NTT Docomo, the Japanese cell phone company, recently announced it has made a major breakthrough in "molecular communication". It seemed like some sort of sci-fi joke, I admit, but they are dead serious. The idea is that it is possible to send biochemical information (i.e. "information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress or disease") over a mobile network. The article is copied below:
TOKYO, JAPAN, March 27, 2008 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced today that in experiments being carried out jointly with Professor Kazuo Sutoh of the Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, and Associate Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, it has successfully demonstrated the world's first molecular delivery system for molecular communication.
DoCoMo has been pioneering research into the field of molecular communication, a new communication paradigm in which molecules are used as a communication medium. By combining communication technology and biochemistry, DoCoMo aims to develop systems that could transmit information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress or disease.
The experiment has confirmed the feasibility of a proposed delivery system to transport specific molecules using artificially synthesized DNAs and chemically energized motor proteins, typically found in muscles and nerve cells, which are capable of moving autonomously by converting chemical energy into mechanical work.
The system, which functions on its own because it does not require external power supply or control, could help lead to the realization of a biochemical analyzer, or biochip, a fingertip-sized microchip for biological and chemical analysis.
The envisioned molecular delivery system could have many applications in medicine and healthcare. For instance, it may be possible to diagnose diseases or stress by directly analyzing biomolecules in a drop of sweat or blood using a mobile phone equipped with a biochip. The molecular delivery system would be packaged in the biochip, and the data generated in the biochemical analysis would be transmitted to a medical specialist via a mobile phone using traditional wireless technology. The system could be used, for example, for remote health checks or preventive medicine.
A mobile phone with a biochip could also have applications in the fields of environment (e.g., water analysis) and entertainment (e.g., fortune telling).
DoCoMo and The University of Tokyo are continuing their collaborative research into practical uses of molecular communication to identify applicable molecules and to develop an actual molecular delivery system for installation in a biochip.
Link
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Geologist's Theology
In July 2007 the announcement was made of the "New Seven Wonders of the World". Considering that of the previous list, only the Pyramid of Giza remains intact, I suppose it was time for the update. The 2007 list includes plenty of sites that are readily recognizable, such as the Colosseum in Italy, the Machu Picchu in Peru, or the Taj Mahal in India. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, on the other hand, are less familiar as they existed. Instead, we are apt to recognize them in phrases, storybook references or even from being featured in video games.
One of the Ancient Wonders still refered to in popular culture is Colossus, as in Colossus of Rhodes - consider the adjective "colossal". The great statue was reportedly made of bronze and stood 107 feet (30 meters) tall. It's said that an earthquake in 226 BC toppled the statue, and it was not rebuilt because the oracle of Delphi told the Rhodians that they had offended Helios, a personification of the sun.
The oracle of Delphi, or Pythia, is possibly better known than many of the Ancient Wonders. Pythia was indeed a wonder of the ancient world in the sense that a priestess should preside over such a position of power in a male-dominated society. Nonetheless, the Delphic oracle existed for some 12 centuries, until about 393 AD.
However, in a piece by John Roach in National Geographic in August 2001, it was proposed that psychic powers of Pythia were in fact due to gas vapors, ethylene in particular, which rose up from the faults located below the temple. The hypothesis was considered and dismissed over time until experts gained a better understanding of geologic and volcanic activity. Now a study shows that this explanation is quite viable. Leave it to a geologist to say God lies not in the heavens, but right beneath our noses.
Read the National Geographic article HERE
One of the Ancient Wonders still refered to in popular culture is Colossus, as in Colossus of Rhodes - consider the adjective "colossal". The great statue was reportedly made of bronze and stood 107 feet (30 meters) tall. It's said that an earthquake in 226 BC toppled the statue, and it was not rebuilt because the oracle of Delphi told the Rhodians that they had offended Helios, a personification of the sun.
The oracle of Delphi, or Pythia, is possibly better known than many of the Ancient Wonders. Pythia was indeed a wonder of the ancient world in the sense that a priestess should preside over such a position of power in a male-dominated society. Nonetheless, the Delphic oracle existed for some 12 centuries, until about 393 AD.
However, in a piece by John Roach in National Geographic in August 2001, it was proposed that psychic powers of Pythia were in fact due to gas vapors, ethylene in particular, which rose up from the faults located below the temple. The hypothesis was considered and dismissed over time until experts gained a better understanding of geologic and volcanic activity. Now a study shows that this explanation is quite viable. Leave it to a geologist to say God lies not in the heavens, but right beneath our noses.
Read the National Geographic article HERE
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The State of the Union
This past week Dubya stood before Congress and recited his address and phone number. Just kidding, he keeps that information written down on a memo pad in his pocket. Instead, he gave his last ever State of the Union Address. Check out the speech, given here in 60 seconds.
Actually, I've been following news on the primaries as best as I can. I haven't had the time to listen to all the debates, but have tried to follow commentary about the race. I read the Japan Times at work and articles online, and also download a podcast of Political Junkie by Ken Rudin on NPR, which is quite good.
Actually, I've been following news on the primaries as best as I can. I haven't had the time to listen to all the debates, but have tried to follow commentary about the race. I read the Japan Times at work and articles online, and also download a podcast of Political Junkie by Ken Rudin on NPR, which is quite good.
A post about Martha Stuart
Did you know that Martha Stuart was in court again last year for trying to trademark the name of a village in New York state?
Did you also know that Martha Stuart recently came to Japan? I don't know if she's planning to name any new lines of clothing or furniture after a small town in Japan, or start some Martha Stuart Kimono brand, but she did post about her trip on her blog (HERE). Apparently she spent time in Kyoto and Tokyo in November, and during that time she visited the Miho Museum!
Miho Museum is one of my favorite places in Japan. I was a bit surprised that when I went there, I was scolded for trying to take pictures of the artwork, but there are plenty of pictures on Martha's blog of her posing in front of lots of artworks. Then again, she went there with the founder, owners as well as the architect, I.M. Pei.
Martha Stewart is attempting to trademark the name Katonah for use on a line of furniture and home products. The name comes form the New York town she resides in, and is named after a beloved 17th century Native American tribal chief. Residents of the town say that no one should own the name, and one has written a protest song that is gaining mainstream attention. Will she trademark the name anyway?(BizWeek Article here)(Wiki entry here)
Did you also know that Martha Stuart recently came to Japan? I don't know if she's planning to name any new lines of clothing or furniture after a small town in Japan, or start some Martha Stuart Kimono brand, but she did post about her trip on her blog (HERE). Apparently she spent time in Kyoto and Tokyo in November, and during that time she visited the Miho Museum!
Miho Museum is one of my favorite places in Japan. I was a bit surprised that when I went there, I was scolded for trying to take pictures of the artwork, but there are plenty of pictures on Martha's blog of her posing in front of lots of artworks. Then again, she went there with the founder, owners as well as the architect, I.M. Pei.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Hoppy New Year
No, not a typo - I mean Hoppy, as in the hop used to brew beer.
With the New Year's holiday coming up, Japan is immersed in end-of-the-year parties with co-workers and friends. These events often kick off with ordering drinks, and in Japan, the phrase "tori-aezu bii-ru" - meaning "might as well start with a beer" - is a popular order. And when one person orders that... well, let's say going against the grain (in this case, hops) is not often done.
Well, at least 40% of the time, as shown in a study published earlier this year that shows most Japanese are giving a toast, clinking together their glasses that are filled not with sake - the Japanese rice wine that's becoming more and more popular outside of Japan - nor wine, but beer. Add to that 40% another 10% made up largely of wheat-based or soy-based "third category beer" and the nearly 20% "happo-shu" (which is simply low-malt beer) and you've got one big, beer drinking hoppy new year!
With the New Year's holiday coming up, Japan is immersed in end-of-the-year parties with co-workers and friends. These events often kick off with ordering drinks, and in Japan, the phrase "tori-aezu bii-ru" - meaning "might as well start with a beer" - is a popular order. And when one person orders that... well, let's say going against the grain (in this case, hops) is not often done.
Well, at least 40% of the time, as shown in a study published earlier this year that shows most Japanese are giving a toast, clinking together their glasses that are filled not with sake - the Japanese rice wine that's becoming more and more popular outside of Japan - nor wine, but beer. Add to that 40% another 10% made up largely of wheat-based or soy-based "third category beer" and the nearly 20% "happo-shu" (which is simply low-malt beer) and you've got one big, beer drinking hoppy new year!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Greenwashing: The 6 Sins
I recently heard a familiar voice on NPR Morning Edition (Nov 30). The voice was that of Scot Case, whom I met in 2005 in Washington D.C. at a meeting with the US Federal Office of the Environment (OFEE) to discuss "Responsible Purchasing". It wasn't much longer after that meeting that the discussion of global warming, emission credit trading and other environmental issues started hitting the front page.
Now regular people are asking, "what can I do?" and as a consumer many of us feel a bit helpless. It doesn't help that companies are putting claims on products that may seem relevant, but are actually empty or meaningless. This is called "greenwashing" and poses a threat to any consumer with a conscience. In the U.S., the lack of a strong environmental labeling scheme has left people with little choice but to grapple with lists of ingredients or just to trust their best judgment and know the issues as best they can. Naturally, few people have the time resources for this undertaking.
The way many brands greenwash their place on the shelves is summarized by Scot Case as the Six Sins, which he talks about during his interview on Morning Edition. For example, a claim that a product contains "NO CFCs" is fairly meaningless in that CFCs have been practically banned in the U.S. since the 1970s. What Germany, Scandinavian countries and Japan have is a strong eco-labeling scheme (Blue Angel, Nordic Swan, and Eco-label, respectively) that puts sets an overall standard for products to obtain the certification, rather than leaving companies to design product packaging as they see fit for marketing as is done in the U.S.
The bottom line is that consumers need to value the vote they make with the dollars they spend. Every dollar sign is a ballot, and no one wants to vote for a candidate that is lying through their teeth, although sometimes it seems we are left with little else.
The Six Sins are as follows, follow the link for details:
1. The Sin of the Hidden Tradeoff
Examples:
• Household insulation products that claim indoor air-quality benefits without attention to other environmental aspects, such as recycled content and manufacturing impacts.
2. The Sin of No Proof.
Examples:
• Household lamps and lights that promote their energy efficiency without any supporting evidence or certification.
3. The Sin of Vagueness
Examples:
• "Chemical-free." In fact, nothing is free of chemicals. Water is a chemical. All plants, animals, and humans are made of chemicals as are all of our products.
• "Non-toxic." Everything is toxic in sufficient dosage. Water, oxygen and salt are all potentially hazardous.
• "All Natural." Arsenic is natural. So are uranium, mercury and formaldehyde. All are poisonous.
• "Green," "environmentally friendly," and "eco-conscious," which are meaningless without elaboration.
4. The Sin of Irrelevance
Example: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) — legally banned for 30+ years
5. The Sin of Lesser of Two Evils
Examples:
• Organic cigarettes.
6. The Sin of Fibbing
Examples:
• A dishwasher detergent that purports to be packaged in "100% recycled paper," and yet the container is plastic.
(Details)
Now regular people are asking, "what can I do?" and as a consumer many of us feel a bit helpless. It doesn't help that companies are putting claims on products that may seem relevant, but are actually empty or meaningless. This is called "greenwashing" and poses a threat to any consumer with a conscience. In the U.S., the lack of a strong environmental labeling scheme has left people with little choice but to grapple with lists of ingredients or just to trust their best judgment and know the issues as best they can. Naturally, few people have the time resources for this undertaking.
The way many brands greenwash their place on the shelves is summarized by Scot Case as the Six Sins, which he talks about during his interview on Morning Edition. For example, a claim that a product contains "NO CFCs" is fairly meaningless in that CFCs have been practically banned in the U.S. since the 1970s. What Germany, Scandinavian countries and Japan have is a strong eco-labeling scheme (Blue Angel, Nordic Swan, and Eco-label, respectively) that puts sets an overall standard for products to obtain the certification, rather than leaving companies to design product packaging as they see fit for marketing as is done in the U.S.
The bottom line is that consumers need to value the vote they make with the dollars they spend. Every dollar sign is a ballot, and no one wants to vote for a candidate that is lying through their teeth, although sometimes it seems we are left with little else.
The Six Sins are as follows, follow the link for details:
1. The Sin of the Hidden Tradeoff
Examples:
• Household insulation products that claim indoor air-quality benefits without attention to other environmental aspects, such as recycled content and manufacturing impacts.
2. The Sin of No Proof.
Examples:
• Household lamps and lights that promote their energy efficiency without any supporting evidence or certification.
3. The Sin of Vagueness
Examples:
• "Chemical-free." In fact, nothing is free of chemicals. Water is a chemical. All plants, animals, and humans are made of chemicals as are all of our products.
• "Non-toxic." Everything is toxic in sufficient dosage. Water, oxygen and salt are all potentially hazardous.
• "All Natural." Arsenic is natural. So are uranium, mercury and formaldehyde. All are poisonous.
• "Green," "environmentally friendly," and "eco-conscious," which are meaningless without elaboration.
4. The Sin of Irrelevance
Example: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) — legally banned for 30+ years
5. The Sin of Lesser of Two Evils
Examples:
• Organic cigarettes.
6. The Sin of Fibbing
Examples:
• A dishwasher detergent that purports to be packaged in "100% recycled paper," and yet the container is plastic.
(Details)
Friday, November 16, 2007
Harold Washington
Back in the early eighties, there was still a lot of civil strife in the City of Chicago. Things had possibly come to a head with the assassination of Martin Luther King, but that was hardly the end of it. What really marked a turning point in Chicago was the election of the city's first black mayor, Harold Washington.
Harold Washington passed away from a heart attack 20 years ago this month, on November 25, 1987, at the age of 65 and to commemorate his legacy, WBEZ public radio ran a feature called "Harold". You can hear the program free online at This American Life (www.thislife.org) through their November 9th episode #84.
One of the things that struck me as I began to listen to this episode was how much Chicago has changed over the past 20 years. Back when Washington was elected in 1983, the black and white areas of the city were still very much segregated. The unemployment rate in the black neighborhoods were some 25% and the projects were referred to by city officials as "the colonies". One alderman featured on the WBEZ episode said that the pressing issue in those neighborhoods was cleaning it up, literally, by trying to figure out what to do with all the garbage. But of course, at that point in time, before Chicago had any curbside recycling programs or "blue bag" projects, we all thought our social problems of race and gender were the pinnacle of civil movements. And it's true; we can't move on to issues that require cooperation and citizen involvement if massive portions of our society are externalized.
So now that environmental issues have been pushed up to the forefront, does that mean that we have reached a point in civil society where equality amongst humankind is finally recognized? Well, with the two leading Democratic candidates for President being a black man and a woman, and people putting accepting these candidates as viable ones, it certainly gives one hope.
Harold Washington passed away from a heart attack 20 years ago this month, on November 25, 1987, at the age of 65 and to commemorate his legacy, WBEZ public radio ran a feature called "Harold". You can hear the program free online at This American Life (www.thislife.org) through their November 9th episode #84.
One of the things that struck me as I began to listen to this episode was how much Chicago has changed over the past 20 years. Back when Washington was elected in 1983, the black and white areas of the city were still very much segregated. The unemployment rate in the black neighborhoods were some 25% and the projects were referred to by city officials as "the colonies". One alderman featured on the WBEZ episode said that the pressing issue in those neighborhoods was cleaning it up, literally, by trying to figure out what to do with all the garbage. But of course, at that point in time, before Chicago had any curbside recycling programs or "blue bag" projects, we all thought our social problems of race and gender were the pinnacle of civil movements. And it's true; we can't move on to issues that require cooperation and citizen involvement if massive portions of our society are externalized.
So now that environmental issues have been pushed up to the forefront, does that mean that we have reached a point in civil society where equality amongst humankind is finally recognized? Well, with the two leading Democratic candidates for President being a black man and a woman, and people putting accepting these candidates as viable ones, it certainly gives one hope.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Please Yous English
Mayor Stranczek of Crestwood, IL has held office since 1968 and will be retiring at the end of this year.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
The Economist magazine is endearingly uncouth in its coverage of demographic issues concerning world population and resource depletion. Here is a brilliant response to one of the outstanding quotes from that article. See below:
SIR —
You write that "if women decide to spend their 20s clubbing rather than child-rearing, and their cash on handbags rather than nappies, that's up to them." Your liberal and tolerant viewpoint towards us is of course very flattering. However, had you even passingly acknowledged that some women may spend their 20s neither clubbing nor child-rearing, but working, and their money on neither nappies nor handbags, but on down-payments for a house, that would have been still more edifying. To save women from being merely mothers, only to make them merely consumers, is a view of women's liberation that belongs to the 1960s, not to today's world.
Eleanor Burgess
Boston, Massachusetts
For more responses to the Article and links to an article The Economist published as a follow-up, go to the following link: www.footprintnetwork.org
Friday, September 14, 2007
Talk Radio
With podcasts available to download onto a portable player, (i.e. my iPod) I have come to love talk radio. I can easily imagine a world before television where radio programming was literally the talk of the town. In fact, the advent/popularity of podcasting (which is basically a revolution of radio programming in a way the VCR revolutionized the way we watch television by making it available to us when we have the time to enjoy it) has probably reinvigorated radio programming. Hard for me to say, though, since I didn't even have "local" radio available to me in Japan - by which I mean, I can now listen to Chicago Public Radio on the subway in Tokyo.
While I enjoy listening to various news programs, my two favorites are not news related so much as they are thematic storylines. At the top of my list is This American Life (from Chicago NPR), followed by RadioLab (out of New York). These are expertly produced and edited and always provide intelligent entertainment; each show lasting for approximately one hour and updated weekly.
I remember years ago when I noticed my mom listening to audiobooks (or the "traditional" term, books-on-tape) while she went for evening walks. It was around that time or soon after that the iPod reached its popularity, and it seemed a well-timed turn of events since more books were becoming available in audio format. Now audiobooks are no longer in the same family as Large Print Books catering to people with poor eyesite, but are for those of us on the move, mainly urban dwellers commuting to work or looking for something to engage us while at the gym.
So even though talk radio, per se, often causes people to conjure up images of a stuffy commentator taking calls from the general citizenry, I think it's far time that this view is updated to reflect what is really available out there. And for those that don't have an iPod or mp3 player, check out local radio listings online.
While I enjoy listening to various news programs, my two favorites are not news related so much as they are thematic storylines. At the top of my list is This American Life (from Chicago NPR), followed by RadioLab (out of New York). These are expertly produced and edited and always provide intelligent entertainment; each show lasting for approximately one hour and updated weekly.
I remember years ago when I noticed my mom listening to audiobooks (or the "traditional" term, books-on-tape) while she went for evening walks. It was around that time or soon after that the iPod reached its popularity, and it seemed a well-timed turn of events since more books were becoming available in audio format. Now audiobooks are no longer in the same family as Large Print Books catering to people with poor eyesite, but are for those of us on the move, mainly urban dwellers commuting to work or looking for something to engage us while at the gym.
So even though talk radio, per se, often causes people to conjure up images of a stuffy commentator taking calls from the general citizenry, I think it's far time that this view is updated to reflect what is really available out there. And for those that don't have an iPod or mp3 player, check out local radio listings online.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Reconstruction
This week on the "This American Life" podcast by Chicago public radio was an excellent look into reconstruction following the major battles of the war in Iraq and "lessons learned". The podcast contains one option to reduce the number of troops and continue a "long game", pointing out that the military are often the ones most adept at achieving results for civil reconstruction amid lingering conflict.
Another interesting idea in the program was that winning a war is dependent on the peace that pursues, which puts more emphasis on reconstruction after the "battles" are over.
So this got me to thinking that, now that Prime Minister Abe of Japan is pushing through Constitution reform to revise Japan's position on using military force, what will that role be? My hope is that Japan pursues a policy as "a stabilizing force" rather than an insurgent force. I don't mean to say that Japan should be given the job of cleaning up someone else's mess, however. Simply, Japan is oft quoted as an example of successful post-war reconstruction itself and is thus in a unique position to lead in this capacity. Just a thought.
Another interesting idea in the program was that winning a war is dependent on the peace that pursues, which puts more emphasis on reconstruction after the "battles" are over.
So this got me to thinking that, now that Prime Minister Abe of Japan is pushing through Constitution reform to revise Japan's position on using military force, what will that role be? My hope is that Japan pursues a policy as "a stabilizing force" rather than an insurgent force. I don't mean to say that Japan should be given the job of cleaning up someone else's mess, however. Simply, Japan is oft quoted as an example of successful post-war reconstruction itself and is thus in a unique position to lead in this capacity. Just a thought.
Monday, March 12, 2007
credit cards
I made the mistake of reading this at work (on my lunch break). I think people were wondering why I was stifling laughter, but if you read through this account of a guy who challenged the security measure of signing for credit purchases, you'll understand.
http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit/
p.s. don't forget to read part II
http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit_card/
http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit/
p.s. don't forget to read part II
http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit_card/
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Idiot
I ran across this article last month and just had to post it! Although this guy is a (self-proclaimed) idiot, he's a talented idiot. :p
"Phillip Kerkhof says it was vodka that made him jump in the ocean and wrestle a 1.3m bronze whaler shark with his bare hands."
Read the whole story here:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,21240306-662,00.html
"Phillip Kerkhof says it was vodka that made him jump in the ocean and wrestle a 1.3m bronze whaler shark with his bare hands."
Read the whole story here:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,21240306-662,00.html
Monday, March 05, 2007
Happy Casimir Pulaski Day!
It doesn't matter if your Polish or Italian or African American. If you live in Illinois, you get to celebrate Casimir Pulaski Day on March 5th every year (since 1978)!
This little known holiday is one that Illinois and a few other places with considerable Polish populations (and Polish elected officials, to be exact) share. So have a kielbasa and maybe a perogi or two and be merry!!
More about Casimir Pulaski Day (link)
This little known holiday is one that Illinois and a few other places with considerable Polish populations (and Polish elected officials, to be exact) share. So have a kielbasa and maybe a perogi or two and be merry!!
More about Casimir Pulaski Day (link)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Bright Idea
A front page story in The Japan Times covered the first national ban of traditional incandescent bulbs, the kind tested by Edison in 1897 and which has been the standard ever since. The country to ban the bulb, in exchange for the more-efficient compact fluorescent bulb (CF bulbs), is not the U.S. but Australia. The aim is to phase out incandescent bulbs by 2010, which will cut Australia's GHG emissions by 4 million tons by 2015.
The Aussies aren't the only one's taking this small, but significant, step as California and New Jersey legislators are also following up on this very "bright idea".
Read more here: (click)
history of the incandescent bulb: (click)
The Aussies aren't the only one's taking this small, but significant, step as California and New Jersey legislators are also following up on this very "bright idea".
Read more here: (click)
history of the incandescent bulb: (click)
Friday, February 09, 2007
Cuban Climate Change
I hate to be overly pedantic but I just read in a recent article in Newsweek ("Cuba's new Guiding Star: Beijing") concerning the structural reforms imminent in Cuba, which it describes as a country "semi-paralyzed" until an ailing Castro kicks the bucket, (crude, I know, but that's the tone of the article).
The writer, unfortunately, makes a rather crude metaphor (from the eco-geek p.o.v. at least) in the last sentence, which reads:
"Until [Castro's younger brother] Raúl finds the political will to take these long overdue steps [for reform], Cuba will remain in an economic ice age, waiting for its last dinosaur to die".
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the world of the Jurassic period had no ice caps and an average global temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius (see image to the right). The K-T extinction event, which is credited for the extinction of the dinosaurs and which took place between the Cretaceous and Tertiary (or Paleogene) periods 65 Ma (million years ago), is believed to have been caused by a meteor that crashed - ironically - very near Cuba, a theory supported by the discovery of the Chicxulub crater. Kilometers-high tsunami would have crashed into what is now Cuba, wiping out any life there, including any prehistoric dictators (wink wink).
The problem with the metaphor above is that one would assume that the dinosaur extinction took place due to the onset of a glacial period, when, in fact, it was more likely caused by multiple meteor impacts and volcanism that belched CO2 and SO2 into the air. That would have created worsened climate conditions, but contrary to what the above metaphor suggests, temperatures rose.
The onset of the following "ice age" didn't take place until millions of years later - about 40Ma - and didn't intensify until the Pleistocene period (image) which was just 3 million years ago. So, it may have been a matter of some 60 million years, but I don't think Cuba can stand to wait that long for it's "last dinosaur" to expire (and, in which case, we should call Castro a "dead clade walking", a wonderful term coined by Chicago U professor, Jablonski). So, in the end, the Newsweek article will probably have Cuban bureaucrats cheering nothing more than, "Viva El Presidente!"
other interesting links:
Timeline of Geological Timescale
Climate change, greenhouse gasses
Paleocene-Eocene termal maximum (sea surface temps of 23°C/73°F, approx. 55 Ma)
Snowball Earth hypothesis (750~580Ma)
World Factbook: Cuba includes a nice map :)
Sue at the Chicago Field Museum
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